Abstract
This intervention explores the participatory restoration of a listed building in the village of Ora, Cyprus, transforming it into a commons-based space rooted in principles of stewardship, care, and collective governance. The objective of the project is to create a self-sustaining rural asset where users contribute resources or services in exchange for use, directly supporting the building’s maintenance and regeneration. The relevance of this intervention lies in its response to rural depopulation, loss of cultural heritage, and the urgent need for models that embed long-term care into the built environment. Drawing inspiration from urban commons practices in Bologna, Amsterdam, and Prague, and grounded in regenerative planning and post-growth theories, the project situates itself at the intersection of architecture, sustainability, and community-driven governance. Methodologically, it employs a mixed-method approach, combining open-ended community surveys, participatory gatherings, and online polls to co-design both the space’s identity and its governance model. The process highlights how architects and urban practitioners can intentionally design infrastructures of care—creating spatial and legal conditions that encourage people not only to use spaces but to nurture and steward them. Initial outcomes reveal strong enthusiasm from both local residents and future users, although challenges around inclusivity, long-term governance, and financial sustainability remain. The intervention concludes that embedding participatory care mechanisms into architectural design and planning processes is crucial for fostering resilient rural futures, where cultural heritage is sustained through ongoing communal commitment rather than isolated preservation efforts.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Architectonic, Spatial, and Environmental Design
KEYWORDS
Participatory Restoration, Commons-Based Governance, Stewardship Architecture, Rural Resilience, Cultural Heritage
